What’s The Sweetest Thing Flying Air India This Summer? It’s Mangoes!

Air India Celebrates Mango Season

With summer in full swing and mango groves blooming nationwide, Air India is diligently working to share the king of fruits worldwide. In April 2025, mango enthusiasts globally experienced an authentic flavour of Indian summer. Air India delivered nearly 1,000 tonnes of fresh Indian mangoes to various European countries, North America, and the Middle East.

“Perishable movement has seen a significant increase this past year—mangoes being one of the more conspicuous examples,” says Ramesh Mamidala, Head of Cargo, Air India. 

“We continue to make investments in enhancing our cold-chain infrastructure, streamlining processes at key airports and strengthening our partnerships with exporters to make Air India the preferred choice for fresh cargo.”

India’s summer obsession, the world’s sweet craving

From gourmet grocery stores in New York to weekend markets in London, Indian mangoes are gaining global popularity. Their soaring demand has transformed this seasonal delight into one of Air India’s most successful cargo segments, with shipments flying worldwide and significantly impacting cities like Toronto, San Francisco, Frankfurt, Tokyo, and Sydney.

Air India is crucial in linking mango farms in rural India with global markets by transporting sought-after varieties such as Alphonso from Maharashtra and Safeda and Dussehri from Uttar Pradesh. Over 75% of these mangoes come from Western India, reaching 43 destinations across 31 countries on five continents through Air India’s extensive flight network.

Cool Cargo: Maintaining Fresh Mangoes at 30,000 Feet

What is required to maintain the freshness of India’s top exports from the farm to their destination? A properly managed cold chain, along with skilled cargo handling. Mangoes are stored in temperature-controlled, APEDA-certified facilities before departure, guaranteeing they are as fresh as possible when leaving the farm. At the airport, thermal blankets and cool dollies help keep the fruit chilled while it is transported across the tarmac and loaded into the aircraft.

“Our teams handle mango shipments with the same precision and care you’d reserve for delicate glassware,” adds Mamidala.

"For us, this mango season is about more than simply transporting fruit. It's about sharing the story of India’s farm-to-globe journey, driven by Air India’s vast network, consistency, and cutting-edge cargo capabilities,” says Mamidala.

As the season peaks, Air India is preparing for increased volumes, with exporters and freight partners diligently working to satisfy the rising global demand for mangoes.